Thirty years ago, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial broke box-office records and has captivated audiences ever since. This documentary provides an insight into the making of Steven Spielberg's classic fantasy film, revealing how Matthew De Meritt, who was born without legs, played the alien in some scenes, and why real doctors were brought in, instead of actors, to film the moment where E.T. is seen dying. Henry Thomas, who starred as lonely boy Elliott, revisits the suburban Californian house where much of the movie was made, and there are also contributions from Dee Wallace and Robert MacNaughton.